However, it's really in the areas of browsing and gameplay that you see the benefits of the dual-core processor. We found the smartphone loaded both Web pages and games faster than its predecessor and had no trouble handling Flash content, such as videos from CNET's Web site, or 3D games. The smooth performance made playing such games as Gun Bros and Need For Speed Shift a blast.

Now, the Droid X2 would be the ultimate smartphone if it added Verizon's zippy LTE data speeds to the mix, but unfortunately the handset is 3G-only, so those wanting 4G should look elsewhere. If you can live without 4G, however, the X2 can be used as a mobile hot spot for up to five devices with the activation of a Mobile Broadband plan ($20 per month with 2GB data cap; 5 cents per MB overage fees). It also features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. Other voice features include a speakerphone, speed dial, voice commands, conference calling, Skype Mobile, and text and multimedia messaging with threaded chat view.

Like the Droid X, the X2 has an 8-megapixel camera with dual LED flash, but Motorola claims it now delivers 44 percent faster shot-to-shot performance than its predecessor. We did notice reduced shutter lag when taking photos in well-lit rooms and outdoors, but there was still a bit of a delay with nighttime shots. Picture quality definitely could be better. We could make out the objects in the photos, but they looked a bit soft and there was a pinkish tint to the pictures that were taken in dimmer environments. We did appreciate the new photo gallery, which provides access to your various photo libraries (camera roll, online albums) and also incorporates Facebook albums and uploads.

The Droid X2's camera could definitely be better.

As for video, though Nvidia's Tegra 2 processor brings support for full HD 1080p video recording and playback via HDMI, the Droid X2 is only capable of the latter. With the built-in HDMI Mirror Mode, you can view photos and movies in 1080p on your HDTV (note: an HDMI cable is not included with the phone), but for now, the camera can only record 720p HD video. We asked Verizon if 1080p HD video recording would be added in the future as with the Motorola Atrix 4G, but the carrier had not gotten back to us at the time of this writing. Video quality was quite decent, with minimal pixelation. The zooming feature, however, can be quite jerky. The smartphone offers 8GB of internal memory and comes with an 8GB MicroSD card, though the expansion slot can accept up to 32GB cards.

Performance
We tested the dual-band (CDMA 800/1900; EV-DO Rev. A) Motorola Droid X2 in New York using Verizon service and call quality was mostly good. On our end, we generally enjoyed clean sound with little-to-no background noise. Voices sounded natural and without any kind of distortion, but there were a couple of occasions when the audio briefly cut in and out. Friends also gave positive feedback, commenting on the clear call quality and lack of any miscellaneous noise.

Motorola Droid X2 call quality sampleListen now:

We were also impressed with the speakerphone quality. Calls sounded rich and clear, without any of the hollowness or tinniness we've often experienced with speakerphones. In addition, there was enough volume to have conversations in a noisier environment, though the audio can sound a bit blown-out at the highest level. We paired the smartphone with the Logitech Mobile Traveller Bluetooth headset and the Motorola S9 Bluetooth Active Headphones and had no problem making calls or listening to music.

Obviously, we would have liked to have seen 4G support on the new Droid X2, but Verizon's 3G network still provided reliable and speedy data speeds. CNET's full page, with Flash content, loaded in 17 seconds, while the mobile sites for CNN and ESPN came up in 6 seconds and 5 seconds, respectively. High-quality YouTube videos loaded within several seconds, and played back continuously.

The Motorola Droid X2 ships with a 1,540mAh lithium ion battery with a rated talk time of 8 hours and up to 9 days of standby time. The Droid X2 delivered an impressive 8 hours of continuous talk time in our battery drain tests, and we also experienced great battery life during our day-to-day usage. With moderate-to-heavy use that included Web browsing, checking e-mail, and playing games, we were able to get a little over a full day's use out of a single charge, which is better than most touch-screen smartphones. According to FCC radiation tests, the Droid X2 has a digital SAR rating of 0.74W/kg and a Hearing Aid Compatibility rating of M4/T3.

Conclusion
To be honest, we were pretty disappointed when we first heard about the Motorola Droid X2. The lack of 4G and some hardware features--such as a front-facing camera--didn't exactly have us jumping out of our seats. However, after spending a few days with the smartphone, we have come to appreciate what it does offer. Sure, those craving 4G data speeds (or Droid X users who were hoping for more) might shun the device, and if you fall into that camp, we recommend taking a look at the HTC ThunderBolt or the Samsung Droid Charge or holding out for the Motorola Droid Bionic. However, if you're fine without 4G, the Droid X2 currently ranks up there as one of Verizon's best smartphones and will reward you with fast performance and good battery life.

About The Author

Bonnie Cha was a former chief correspondent for CNET Crave, covering every kind of tech toy imaginable (with a special obsession for robots and Star Wars-related stuff). When she's not scoping out stories, you can find her checking out live music or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California.